Air assisted insect dispensing apparatus and delivery process

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the metered delivery of beneficial insects such as but not limited to Trichogramma adaptable for mounting on a tractor, airplane, or a backpack blower carried by ground personnel. The apparatus employs a binder injection system for impact upon the metered beneficial insects in a moving airstream for delivery to specific targets. The process of delivery constitutes the controlled metering of a desired amount of a beneficial insect into an airstream for impact by a measured amount of a binder solution such that the insects become coated, after which the insects are then delivered to their target area by a high velocity airstream.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of insectdispensing, and, more specifically, to the process of metered dispensingof insects from airplanes or blowers onto walnut trees and othersubstrates. The invention also relates to compositions of binder coatedinsects and the method of making them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that insects can injure people and destroy their foodsupplies. In early days, controlled fires were started to drive insectssuch as locusts away with smoke and more recently a variety ofinsecticides such as DDT have been developed. Unfortunately DDT and manyof the early poisons for insects were not selective. The existence ofmass fish kills due to pesticide residues is well documented. Thereforesince the outlawing of DDT in the U.S.A., the E.P.A. and othernongovernment groups have been looking for and finding replacementtechniques for pesticides and pesticide management programs.

The Codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is a major exotic pest of walnuts,apples and pears in California and elsewhere in the United States. Ithas become a major problem in three quarters of the California countieswhere walnuts are grown. Codling moths produce three generations peryear and larval damage from the first generation is believed to beresponsible for nut drop in June. Nut meat damage caused by thirdgeneration larvae is seen at the harvest and is more easily quantified.Since California produces virtually all of the commercially producedwalnuts in the United States with over 205,000 acres in 20 countiesdedicated to walnut production there is indeed significant interest incontrolling this pest.

One way that has been developed is to use a natural predator of the pestto destroy the pest., i.e., the coddling moth, which can reek havoc upona walnut orchard if left unchecked, and which is one of the manylepidopterous pests encountered in northern California. The predator ofchoice by applicant is the Trichogramma, a small parasitic wasp. Thistiny wasp was believed to be a natural enemy of the codling moth sinceit was known that Trichogramma will attack the eggs of otherlepidoptera.

The use of Trichogramma to fight the codling moth in walnut orchards hasbeen previously reported. The currently accepted technique fordistribution is to ship refrigerated pupae of the TG inside parasitizedgrain moth eggs, to the customer. The refrigeration slows down thematuration. Large sheets of cardstock or paper are coated with a glue asby brushing or sponging and globs of the parasitized eggs placedthereon. The large sheets of substrate are cut up by hand and littlesquares are stapled to individual leaves of the walnut tree, wrappedaround twigs, and stapled in place, placed or attached to drinking cupsand wedged into or attached to locations on trees. There are severalproblems associated with this technique. First, mature walnut trees are12 to 18 meters tall, so the placement of the beneficial insect papersquares relatively near the ground, i.e., 2 meters up, does notconcentrate the predator where the codling moth deposits its eggs, inthe upper reaches of the tree. The prior art hand placement method, islabor super intensive and the technique does not allow rapid coverageduring short weather related optimum application periods. Further, thecardstock squares present concentrated masses of eggs, poorly protectedfrom ants, earwigs and other predators, due to their location, therebyreducing the percent of pupae that can mature to do their job. Since theshape of a tree is random, uniform horizontal dispersion of the squaresis totally impossible. Thus areas will be overly populated, and areawill be under populated with the beneficial insect. Thus excessplacement is required at more cost to overcome these deficiencies, atstill higher cost.

Applicant was of the belief that an improved method of delivery waspossible, using spray techniques. Thus applicant set out to provide newinsect compositions as well as a replacement mode of deliveringTrichogramma hereinafter Tg, singular or Tgs plural, to fight thecodling moth in walnut trees . Since walnut trees were to be the targetto be treated, he also went about determining whether other pests of thewalnut tree could be counteracted by the same new method of delivery ofa predator to the target area.

Aerial spraying methods were well known to applicant, and indeed thereare numerous patents dealing with the aerial spraying of beneficialinsects. Thus a patent search revealed the following U.S. Patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,109 Maedgen

U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,989 Skinner

Other patents that turned up during the course of the search included:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,484,062 Johnson

U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,333 Bjerregaard

U.S. Pat. No. 1,749,504 C. L. Pelton

U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,402 A. A. Whiting, Jr. et al

U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,061 J. M. Sellers

U.S. Pat. No. 2,986,360 L. D. Rutten

U.S. Pat. No. 3,476,337 W. D. Cornett, Jr.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,525,473 P. R. Pickell

U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,978 Manicatide et al

U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,113 Andreev et al

None of these references either alone, or in combination anticipate orrender obvious the apparatus, method of delivery, or the composition tobe disclosed herein.

It is a first objective to provide a metering dispenser for beneficialinsects for delivery by a high speed airstream.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel apparatus for thedelivery of parasitized grain moth eggs of the wheat moth for deliveryby airplanes.

It is another object to provide a novel apparatus which can be modifiedfor delivery of Trichogramma and other beneficial insects by a man/womancarried blower or from a crop dusting airplane.

It is a further object to provide a metering system for the delivery ofparasitized eggs.

It is a still further object to provide an improved apparatus for thedelivery of Trichogramma pupae to walnut trees.

It is a yet further object to provide a new process for the delivery ofparasitized eggs and other beneficial insects.

It is indeed an additional object to provide a process for the deliveryof Trichogramma pupae to walnut trees to fight the coddling moth.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises (1) the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts; (2) themethod involving the several steps and the relation and order of one ormore of such steps with respect to each of the other steps for deliveryof the beneficial pest compositions according to the invention; (3) theseveral steps and the relation and order of one or more of such stepswith respect to the others for the manufacture of the compositions ofthis invention; and (4) the compositions possessing certain features andproperties; all of which are exemplified in the following detaileddisclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicatedin the appended claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be made to the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the basic apparatus of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, wherein the apparatus has beenadapted for use by ground personnel with personal air sources.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus adapted for use by aerialspray personnel.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a mount system for attaching theapparatus of this invention to an airplane.

FIG. 5 is diagrammatic view illustrating the process of this inventionand illustrating more clearly certain components forming a part of theapparatus of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a variant of the apparatus of FIG. 2, also for use by groundpersonnel.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial rendition of the controls utilized by a pilot tooperate the apparatus of this invention when it is mounted under thewing or elsewhere on an airplane.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a variant spur gear metering device.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a rotating disk metering device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate chamber suitable for airdelivery of the coated compositions of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of this invention is a metering dispenser for beneficialinsects such as but not limited to Trichogramma, which apparatus employsa binder injection system for impact upon the metered beneficial insectsin a moving airstream for delivery to specific targets. The delivery canbe from an airplane or from ground personnel.

The process of delivery constitutes the controlled metering of a desiredamount of a beneficial insect into an airstream for impact by a measuredamount of a binder solution such that the insects become coated, afterwhich the insects are then delivered to their target area by a highvelocity airstream.

All of these activities can be carried out by introducing the beneficialinsects into a hopper, metering the addition thereof into an airstreamusing a spur gear or other limiting device such as a rotor, introducingmucilage or some other non-lethal binder onto the moving insects andejecting the binder coated insects into an airstream for delivery to atarget, be it a specific plant, or to a piece of paper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Beneficial Insect Preparation

The desired Trichogramma wasp is a natural enemy of various lepidoptera(moths and butterflies). In order to propogate the Trichogramma wasp arepropagated as follows. Eggs of the grain moth are collected from natureby individuals and companies called insectories. While the grain moth isa pest to wheat, rye, etcetera, it is not a pest to the walnut tree.From these eggs, large numbers of the grain moth are raised undercontrolled conditons and the eggs are again collected. The eggs are putinto areas known as stinging chambers. Female Trichogrammas areintroduced and permitted over a one to three day period to sting oroviposit the eggs of the wheat moth with their own eggs. The eggs of theTrichogramma hatch first and the larvae of the Trichogramma feed on thenutrients found in the egg of the grain moth.

The Trichogramma larvae then goes into the pupae stage, ready to emergeas adults. It is these pupae within the eggs of the host grain moth thatare to be delivered according to this invention to the walnut trees,such that when the Trichogrammas emerge, as fully developed parasiticwasps, they can then attack the eggs of the pest lepidoptera, which inthis case is the codling moth which is highly detrimental to the walnutcrop. While there may be some nectar or dew available from certainplants or aphids, to serve as food for the Trichogrammas usually such isnot the case. Either way the life cycle of the adult Trichogramma isbetween 1 and about 3 days, so it is important to introduce the pupae ofthe Trichogramma into the "infected area" at the right time.

It is to be understood, that even if every egg of the host lepidoptera;namely, the grain moth is not oviposited, whereby a small amount of thegrain moths actually become born, this phenomenon is not considered tobe a problem as the grain moth is NOT a pest of the walnut tree.

It is seen therefore that the product to be delivered here is A withinB. That is, the pupae of the Trichogramma within the egg of the host,the grain moth.

This combination however, is NOT the inventive composition used in theprocess of this invention. My new composition, which can arise duringthe carrying out of the process of this invention, can also be preparedby other methods to be discussed. My new composition is also disclosedand claimed in my copending patent application, (Attorney Docket No.1525B) U.S. Ser. No. 08/738,414 filed concurrently hereiwth.

It is also to be noted that while most of my research has been cariedout using Trichogramma parasitized eggs, my compositon invention is notlimited thereto. Thus, I have found as will be discussed, that lacewings and other beneficial insects in their egg stage can be similarlytreated with a binder solution according to my method for delivery to aspecific plant or other target such as sheets of paper.

The discussion now turns to FIG. 1. In this figure the basic apparatusof this invention is shown in a somewhat sectional view. Apparatus 10 isa multi-component article that includes a metering device for theintroduction of solids, here beneficial insects, into an airstream,where the insects are coated with a binder solution for delivery by highspeed air to a target. Apparatus 10 comprises a hopper 26, which may befunnel shaped as depicted or it may be any other shaped bowl having adepressed central bottom exit 40 for easy unloading, and which is openat the top for the loading of material such as parasitized eggs 48,therein.

Hopper 26 is retained in position by hopper mount 27 which may be madeof any suitable material such as plastic or metal, as can be the hopperitself A motor 21 is mounted on a suitable support 22, which in turn isattached by means not seen to chassis 28. Motor 21 includes a shaft 23connected thereto and high shaft passes through aperture 26A of thehopper. The shaft 23 is connected at its oposite end in a conventionalmanner to a gear box 24 which is suspended within the confines of thehopper 26. Also connected to the gear box 24 is the shaft 25 of astirrer 20. This stirrer is a wire member preferably having one upwarddepending and one downward depending paddle-like member thereon toagitate the hopper contents to prevent clogging. Other configurationsfor the stirrer are also contemplated.

Mounted directly beneath the constricted opening 40 of the hopper 26, isa metering device, 29, for periodically dispensing a determinable finiteamount of the contents of the hopper into the collection bin, 30 for agravity feed through the spout 31 into the J-tube, also called thedelivery tube, 39 and down into the chamber. The metering device here isa spur gear 29 attached to a shaft 49 connected to the motor 45. Notethat the side wall of the collection bin 30 is preferably angled, toforce any contents to fall toward the spout 31.

The purpose of the collection bin is to provide an intermediate means tocollect a small amount of the insect for gravity feed through the spout31. By providing a narrower opening through the spout, than the openingat the bottom of the hopper, close control of the feed of the insects tothe chamber to be discussed below can be achieved. Also this narroweropening enhances the ability of the optical sensor to function. From apractical point of view there is never any real build up of insectvolume within the collection bin, no matter how fast or slow themetering transpires.

Other metering devices can also be used. For example the spur gearoriented horizontally as shown in FIG. 8, would serve in like fashion toopen and close the opening 40 of the hopper 26. The rotating disk ofFIG. 9 serves the same purpose, as would a rotor.

Deviating momentarily, it is seen in FIG. 8 that the motor 45 issimilarly supported by legs 46 as in FIG. 1, and also has a shaft 47.The shaft 47 is connected to a gear box 90 to which in turn is connectedthe horizontally oriented spur gear 91. As the gear moves past theopening 40, the opening is alternatively opened-close-opened-closed.Note that the collection bin has been reshaped and enlarged toaccommodate the gear box 90. Accordingly the bin has been renumbered as30'. Note also the absence of the optional optical sensor.

In FIG. 9, an apertured disk 92 having at least one aperture 93 engagesa driving disk, 94, either frictionally, or by the engagement of gearteeth on each, to rotate the aperture past the opening 40. The shaft 95of the driving disk would be connected to a motor unseen. The mountingof such a metering system is within the skill of the art.

The discussion returns now to FIG. 1. Seen here circumscribing the spout31, and abutting the hopper is J-tube 39 which preferably has a flaredfront edge, 44 to ensure dispersion. The J-tube may be entirely clear,but if the optional sensor 36 is employed, then the area passing throughthe annular optical sensor should be clear in order for the sensor torecognize movement of material from the spout into the J-tube 39. Thesensor is a powered electonic indicator to verify flow no- flow ofmaterial from the spout. Optical sensors of this nature are well knownin the art and are readily available in the marketplace from severalmanufacturers. The sensor is activated if employed from the panel of thecockpit of the plane. Reference is made to FIG. 7 to be discussed infra.

The J-tube 39 is glued or otherwise attached to the J-tube retainer 37which is mounted to the body of the delivery chamber 32. This chamberhas a main portion 33 and a reverse venturi front portion 34 to slowdown the incoming airstream 38. Chamber 32 may be round tubular orsquare tubular as may be desired. Note also that the motor supports 46which are attached to the motor 45 are also attached as by screws, glueor otherwise to the main portion of the chamber 33. Chamber 33 may bemade of plastic such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) or metalsuch as aluminum or steel as may be desired.

While shown as an integral unit, the front portion 34 may be a separatepiece threadedly or otherwise engaged to the main portion 33. Thisjunction would take place between the two imaginary dashed lines 333 and334. Since such is so readily understood, no separate illustration ofthat fact is deemed necessary.

Disposed through suitable openings 42 in the wall of the main portion 33of the chamber are a pair of opposed injectors 43. Each of theseincludes a nozzle 43N thereon. As seen in FIG. 1, these nozzles enterfrom the top and bottom of the chamber, but there is no criticality tosuch entry. Side entry as illustrated in FIG. 3 is also contemplated.Note too that the injectors 42 are shown to terminate on the endopposite the injector, in a coupling 43C. At least one injector isrequired to transmit the binder solution as discrete droplets.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, wherein like parts bear like numbers,and as such need not be again discussed. Prior to discussing theproximal end of the injector at the coupling 43C, it is to be noted thatthere is a slight structural change or variant in the disposition of themotor to operate the stirrer. Here the shaft 25 is connected directly toa top mounted motor 21" with the elimination of the gear box 24. A wireretainer means 96 encircles the motor and is secured to the hopper toprevent vibration of motor 21 and to provide stability thereto.

In FIG. 2, each coupling is seen to be connected to a hose 50, which inturn is connected to a Tee 51. Since for ease of illustration one suchhose is discontinuous, the segment attached to the coupler is designated50B, while the segment attached to the Tee is designated 50A. In reality50A and 50 are attached to each other.

The Tee 51 is seen to have two outlets, each connected to one hose 50.The inlet side of the Tee is fluidly connected to line 53 which has anoptional pressure gauge 54 connected in line thereto. This conventionaladjustable pressure gauge is used to set and to check the spray pressureof the fluid being introduced through the injectors. The proximal end ofline 53 is connected to a regulator-pump 55 fluidly connected via fluidline 56 to a source such as any conventional vessel or tank of fluidbinder, not seen.

The unit seen in this figure is adapted for attachment to a personalhand carried blower. The attachment to convert from a basic unit formounting on a plane or a tractor consists of the the extension 70 whichattaches as by a a threaded connection or friction fit as may be desiredto the inlet end of the venturi. Tee mount 52 may be bolted, clamped orotherwise attached to the extension. A bellows coupling 71 is secured tothe extension, and said coupling 71 includes a bayonet connector adaptedto engage the bayonet connector 74 of of the blower coupling 72.

While bayonet connections are shown, and which are well known to thosein the interchangeable lens for camera art, other types of connectionsof a releaseable nature may be employed to join a blower, such as madeby Paramount. Toro and other garden hardware product manufacturers. Suchblowers are readily available in the marketplace.

In FIG. 6 an apparatus according to the invention, but modified for acommercial blower unit is seen. Again like numbers refer to like parts,and like parts will not be repeatedly discussed.

In this figure, the chamber is designated 32' as it is entirely of onecross-section. Thus the embodiment of the invention is designated 11. Noreverse venturi to slow down the incoming air is emplyed, because theexit speed of air emanating from commercial blowers can be regulated toa desired speed such as to injure the eggs being discharged into theairstream through the J-tube. Thus coupling 71' is attached in aconventional fashion to the inlet end of the chamber. This coupling hasa similar bayonet 73 for mating engagement of the bayonet mount 74 ofcoupler 72. As is seen coupling 72 and coupling 72' of the respectiveblowers, each have a slightly larger cross section to fit over thecoupling attached to the chamber. Refer again to FIG. 2.

Whether the metered dispensing apparatus is to be mounted on a plane,tractor or hand blower, the direction of the airstream is always thesame. The air moves from the inlet, past the J-tube and then past theinjectors. But note that when mounted on a plane or tractor, the inlet34 faces forward, as air rushes in and throught the inlet 34, is sloweddown and then moves out the main portion 33. But when mounted on a handblower, the inlet faces the operator, as the source of air is frombehind, i.e., in the blower unit carried by the operator. But theairstream movement stays the same.

The discussion moves to FIG. 3. Here the apparatus 20 is seen. Theinjector 43 is seen to be disposed within a side opening 42S, such thatthe second and opposed injector is not visible in this view. Thisslightly different location is required due to the employement of ahousing for the balance of the apparatus. This housing 75 is seen to bea box, having side walls, a bottom wall with suitable cutouts 75C forthe motor supports 46 and the J-tube 39, as well as an aperture 75A forthe electrical leads of the optical sensor 36 in the front wall. The topwall thereof has an opening 84 therein for access to the hopper 26. Thisopening is covered over by a hinged optionally lockable hatch 76, whichis pivotally mounted by hinges 77. The housing 75 provides enhancedcosmetic appeal, as well as preventing possible tampering with any ofthe componets or the contents of the hopper. The apparatus when housedcan be mounted on a tractor, on an airplane or to a hand blower. Theleads of the sensor are connected to a power source.

In FIG. 4 there is depicted a mount plate 78 which is shown bolted tothe housing by self-tapping bolts 79, one of which is disposed in eachbore 79'. At least one bolt hole 80 is provided for the bolting of themount plate 78 to a suitable part of the airplane or tractor by whichthe apparatus is to be carried. In order to provide additional securityto the chamber 32, one or more, here two straps 81 are disposed aroundthe chamber 32 and attached by a bolt and nut 82 to the mount plate 78through aperture 83 of the strap which communicates with an alignedthroughbore in the mount plate, not seen.

In FIG. 10, there is shown an alternate configuration for the mixingchamber. None of the other components such as the hopper or its inputinto the chamber are shown. This alternate generally rectangular versionis designated 132' with the main portion being 133 and the integratedinlet being 134. Note that the forward diverging panels 134A and B stillcreate the reverse venturi effect to slow down the speed of the incomingair.

The discussion now moves to FIG. 5. This figure is a diagrammaticdepiction of the process making the new compositions of this invention.An electrical air pump 62 which has a corded plug 63 is fluidlyconnected to vessel 59 via fluid line 61 for the input of air. Asolution of binder agent 60, of a nature to be described infra is pumpedout line 58 by the air which displaces the binder solution in the closedvessel. A combination inline regulator and on-off valve 57 ensures asteady flow of liquid. The binder 60 moves past a pressure gauge throughline 53 to Tee 51'. This Tee is a 3 way ball valve that can split thesolution such that part of it is fed to each line 50 or to only one ofthe lines 50 for fluid delivery to the respective injector 43 incommunication with that specific line 50. Thus the equivalent of singleline operation can be achieved by using this type of ball valve tee.

An air blower 65 delivers air 66 (represented by the double arrow) intoa mix chamber 67, in the same direction as the fluid is being injectedfrom injectors 42. From an input hopper 68, beneficial insects 69 areintroduced into the chamber by gravity or other means known to the art.These beneficial insects are impacted by the spray 60 from the injectors43 and the air 66 from the blower 65 moves the coated insects in thedirection of the air flow 38 toward a collection target 85. This targetcan be a cardboard stratum or it can be a tree, or a plant, or theinterior surface of a box, or even simple butcher paper as may bedesired where the binder coated beneficial insects that constitute theproduct of this invention are collected.

The reader's attention is drawn to the comparison of FIG. 5 to FIG. 1.While FIG. 5 is a general illustration of the operative procedure andFIG. 1 pertains to a specific apparatus, it is seen that the point ofinput of the beneficial insects is different in these two drawings. InFIG. 1, the injectors are rearward of the J-tube, (relative to airflowinput) while in FIG. 5, the input hopper delivers the insects in frontof the injectors. While either location for delivery will work for thecreation of the compositions of this invention, there is less chancethat the hopper input into the mixing chamber will clog with binder, ifthe input point is to the rear of the flow of binder--the mode ofFIG. 1. Note also that the instrumentation such as the various gaugesshown in the apparatus have been omitted, since they are onlybeneficial, not mandatory to carry out the process.

Among the beneficial insects that can be coated in this manner arelacewing eggs, parasitized eggs, wherein the parasite is one of severalvarieties of the Trichogramma wasp. These include T. Platneri and T.Pretiosum. The host eggs can be either of Sitotroga or Ephestia. Suchparasitized eggs are available from insectaries (vendors of bugs)including Rincon-Vitova of Ventura Calif. among others. It is believedthat any currently available or future available beneficial insect inthe egg, pupa or larva stage can be coated for collection or deliveryaccording to the process of this invention. It is further believed thatadult insects such as lady bugs would be impeded in their attempt to eataphids, if they were coated with the binders of this invention.

Suffice it to say, however, that the binders of this invention do nothave the adhesive capability of an epoxy or urethane glue. Thus theforce necessary to move collected coated insects from a stratum forplacement as by hand or otherwise to a different location can easily beaccomplished by hand. Of course, it would be difficult to move just onesuch coated insect no matter what stage of life the insect is in, due tothe tiny size of these beneficial insects.

Among the binders that can be employed in this process are gum arabic,Yes™ glue made by Gane Bros & Lane, Inc. Elk Grove Village, Ill.,Elmer's white glue or equal, pectin, gelatin and mucilage,polyvinylpyrollidone (PVPD) and mixtures thereof Solutions generallyrange from about 7% to about 50% by volume, with 10 to 12.5% being thepreferred range. Mucilage, the fluid that comes in little bottles toadhere papers together is available from several sources includingCarter in Cambridge Massachusetts and The Borden Company.

Biocarrier, a pectin-based material made by Smuckers Mfg. of HarrisburgOre. was used favorably with lacewing eggs. Both by aerial (pane andtractor) as well as by backpack sprayer units. However Biocarrier didnot work very well with Trichogramma, as the adhesion was poor.

Cloud Cover™ a polymeric solution used to retain moisture in Christmastrees and indoor ornamental plants, and made by Easy Gardner of WacoTex., was also found to work satisfactorily with lacewings.

The following table illustrates the results of using three differentconcentrations of the same binder agent for impact upon TG parasitizedeggs, which were delivered to a paper target using the apparatus of thisinvention.

    ______________________________________                                        PVPD           5%         10%    20%                                          SURVIVAL RATE 73%         88%    82%                                          STICK RATING  3           3      3                                            CLOUDCOVER     5%         10%    20%                                          SURVIVAL RATE 86%         84%    74%                                          STICK RATING  1           2      2                                            MUCILAGE       5%         10%    20%                                          SURVIVAL RATE 82%         97%    90%                                          STICK RATING  3           4      4                                            BIOCARRIER     5%         10%    20%                                          SURVIVAL RATE 73%         72%    70%                                          STICK RATING  1           1      1                                            ______________________________________                                    

The ratings as noted herein are based upon personal observations of thetarget papers. The adhesion to a paper target is an indicator of theexpected adhesion of the binder coated beneficial insect to the desiredsubstrate, e.g., walnut tree leaves. Survival rate means the percentageof delivered insects that "survived" the trauma of the delivery systemto the target. Stick rate is an indication of the relative adhesion ofthe coated insects to a target surface.

AERIAL DELIVERY

As has been noted previously, the primary intended purpose of theapparatus of this invention is to use it for the aerial delivery of thecoated insects to walnut trees primarily and to other trees as well.

Once the apparatus of this invention is mounted to a plane, such as butnot limited to the mount plate shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus needs tobe actuated. Thus a control panel needs to be in place in the planewhich will carry the apparatus.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which depicts such a panel. All of theinstrumentation and switches to be discussed are conventional in theindustry. The discussion centers therefore upon the use of theinstruments and switches, of control panel 100 rather than upon theirindividual novelty.

Switch 101 of the panel 100, is the master on-off switch. This is usedjust as the name implies, to turn on the apparatus, which has two motorstherein, and permits the meter switch and spray switch to each operate.

Switch 102 is the meter switch. It turns on the dispensing system, whileswitch 103 is the spray switch which permits the fluid to be pumped fromthe vessel out into the injectors as described elsewhere herein.

Switch 103 controls the injectors to turn the delivery of binder on oroff.

Meter 104 is a volt meter which serves as an RPM gauge of the dispensingapparatus motor. The exact speed of the stirrer is of no importance solong as the hopper does not clog up or bridge.

The rheostat 105 is used to regulate the speed of the motor, i.e., theRPM which controls the speed of the dispensing device, i.e., the amountof beneficial insect being delivered to the chamber per unit of time.The rheostat ties in with the meter, in that the meter 104 provides theread out of the variations created by the rheostat's operation.

Pressure gauge 106 is optional and can be used alone or it can be usedin conjunction with another such gauge to determine binder spray force.

The optical sensor control 107 has two lights, one to confirm thepresence of power since the sensor is electrical and the other toconfirm the passage of material from the hopper and is wired to a sourceof power.

TRACTOR MOUNTING

The apparatus of this invention can also be mounted outboard on atractor or other field vehicle such as an air blast unit. In such aninstance substantially the same control panel 100 would be employed.Since it is easy to stop a tractor to verify hopper delivery visually,the optical sensor can be omitted.

Previously I have related the details of the apparatus and the severalchanges or variants appliable thereto. The discussion is now directed tothe procedure to be employed for the actual delivery of the in-situprepared binder coated insects by an airplane or tractor mountedapparatus. The reader's attention is drawn to the fact that theapparatus of this invention is generally used in pairs on both tractorsand planes, but used singly in conjunction with a hand blower. On aplane, even weight distribution is the reason for tandem usage, while ona tractor, time saving is the prime reason.

SIMULATED ORCHARD APPLICATION

In order to assess the effectiveness of the apparatus of this invention,under actual use conditions, for the delivery of Trichogrammaparasitized Ephestia eggs, a collection line was set up using a 15 meterstrip of butcher paper, which was marked off into fifteen 1 meterincrements (sites), and stapled to sheets of plywood. Butcher papertents were constructed and stapled to cardstock. The tents were carriedto the target zone in plastic bins and were stapled to each site, 180 cmapart and 2.5 cm from either edge of the site, and labeled with testsite numbers.

Fresh branches of walnut leaves (5 to 7 leaves each) were placed midwaybetween the tents to simulate the leaves of the orchard canopy. It wasnecessary to simulate an orchard since this test program was carried outoff-season. The target 85, was located perpendicular to the wind as iscustomary.

The apparatus was attached to the aircraft using a conventional mountingplate. A plastic spray tank fluidly connected to a 12 volt diaphragmpump was placed in the cockpit of the aircraft under the pilot's seatand fluidly connected to a pair of injectors positioned at 45 degreesadjacent to the J-tube disposed in the mixing chamber. This combinationwas used to transfer a 10% mucilage solution at a pump pressure set at20 psi, and controlled with a separate on/off switch. The pressure wasmonitored by a separate pressure gauge located adjacent to the mixingchamber. The nozzles were positioned at two locations to maximize thelikelihood of parasitized eggs coming into contact with the adhesiveparticles. The flow rate of the adhesive delivery system was set at 3.76gal/min. as the parasitized eggs were set to be metered into the mixingchamber at a rate of about 72.5 mil/min.

The aircraft then took off and made about 7 runs over the target withthe eggs being exposed to the mucilage and then delivered by the movingair to the target zone. After each run was made, the sheets wereexamined with a 7× hand lens for parasitized eggs adhered to the sheet,the locations marked, parasitized eggs counted, and data recorded foreach sheet. At the same time, the paper tents and walnut foliage alsowere collected and taken to the laboratory for incubation for seven daysor until all controls had emerged and died. After incubation, locationswith parasitized eggs were cut from the sheet with a razor blade andlabeled with sheet number. The paper cut-outs then were examined under aNikon dissecting scope for evidence of the presence of parasitized eggs.A viewing of these eggs determine the existence of little holes wherethe wasp had emerged. The number of holes serves as an indication of thesurvival rate of the wasp pupae subsequent to delivery. It is theseTrichogramma wasps that are now in the position to attack the eggs ofthe codling moth.

It was found that the distribution of the mucilage covered parasitizedeggs yielded a bell shaped curve. A substantially similar bell curve wasobtained when a 50% solution of mucilage was employed. The center of thecurves lay closest to the plane with distribution falling off as thedistance from the apparatus increased.

An analysis of the data yielded the result when compared to controlprocedures, without the use of a binder agent to adhere the beneficialinsects to the target area, that the survival rate of the pupae of theTrichograrnma was substantially the same. That is, the binder created nodeleterious effect upon the parasitized eggs, while concentrating theirlocation in the target zone.

The test just discussed is one that as noted simulates walnut orchardconditions. Since the codling moth is in the trees and not on theground, the structures as described were utilized. The application rateof beneficial insect can be modified as needed to meet the requirementsof different conditions, such as different type of tree, or evendifferent variety of the same tree, different wind conditions, differentairplane, and even different personal desires of the grower as to thevolume of beneficial insect (compositions of this invention) per acre.

It has already been pointed out that the binder can range from about a10% solution to about a 50% solution when mucilage is utilized. Theconcentration of beneficial insects can be altered by changing the speedof the metering device, be it the spur gear, or apertured disk or anyother dosimeter. The speed of the plane, or the speed of the groundtractor will directly influence the coverage of delivery of thecompositions of this invention, given that everything else staysconstant. All of these adjustments are within the skill of the artisan.

While I have indicated some of the factors that influence the rate ofdelivery according to this invention, at this point, the mode ofcarrying out certain calculations to achieve these changes of deliverywill be discussed.

JOB CALCULATIONS

Let us assume that a particular job to be carried out by plane utilizesa plane whose air speed is 120 mph, and that it carries two of theinventive apparatuses. Assume also that the orchard is 100 acres insize, and that the owner desires a density of 100,000 parasitized eggs,or other 100,000 beneficial insects delivered per acre. To obtain thevolume of eggs to be delivered, one multiplies the acreage by thedensity, and divides this by the known volume of a given number ofinsects. For Trichogramma parasitized eggs of the Ephestia the number is20K of eggs per ml. Since there are 2 apparatuses to be usedsimultaneously, that figures. out to 250 ml of eggs per unit.

Given that there are 20,000 eggs/cc with the desired density of 100Keggs per acre that means that 5 ml of eggs must be employed

The flying activity of the pilot for his/her passes, switching on theapparatuses over the acreage and turning them off when over neighboringproperty is beyond the scope of the application. Given that the swath ofthe pass is 60 feet, then the calculation is made as follows todetermine the flow rate of in this case eggs containing the beneficialpest per unit (2 per 120 miles/hr×60 ft./swath×5280 ft/mile×1 acre/43560sq.ft.×1 hr./60 min.=14.5 acres/min plane) is the 14.5 acres per min ×5ml=72.5 ml/min; which divided by 2 units on the plane means that 36.25ml/min/unit is to be delivered by the plane over the target area. Thelast thing to be calculated, once the known delivery concentration ofbeneficial insect is known, is the desired flow rate of the binder fromthe injectors. Since 2 injectors are present per unit, the calculatonpertains to 4 injectors. In my efforts, I used TeeJet nozzles #6503which operate at about 0.3 gallons per minute under 40 p.s.i. pressureeach. Thus 1.2 gallons/min divided by 14.5 acres/min.=0.08 gallons/acreof the binder.

In conclusion it has been found that the aerial delivery of Trichogrammawithin ephesita eggs, is indeed quite satisfactory, and a soundfinancial practice. The viability of the beneficial insect is notinjured by a through the air delivery, whether aerial by plane or onland by tractor, as well as by use of a hand blower attached to theapparatus. It was further found that the impact of the binder agent uponthe beneficial insect had little or no deleterious effect upon thesurvival rate of the beneficial insect in both the lacewing delivery andthe Trichogramma delivery. What was futher found is that the use of thebinder did increase the destruction of the pest in the target area asmore of the predator were present to do the job than under currentpractices utilizing hand placed squares of paper with the beneficialinsect thereupon within the target area, but on or near the ground, notup in the trees where the pests are and the damage is caused.

While the discusion hereintofore has been primarily dealing with theTrichogramma as a beneficial insect to control codling moth in walnutorchards, it is to be understood that the Trichogramma can be deliveredin the same manner to control other detrimental insects with respect tospecific crops.

Whereas the TG has been delivered in the format of parasitized eggs ofthe ephsetia or other insect, I have found that lacewing flies,(Chrysopidae) can be delivered using the process and apparatus of thisinvention. The larvae of the lacewing are called aphis lions, and arevoracious eaters. They feed on aphids, thrips, mites, young cornearworms, and other small soft-bodied insects or eggs. The larvae of thelacewing have sickle-like mandibles which puncture and extract bodyfluids from their prey.

Delivery of the lacewing is in the egg stage of the insect itself,rather than parasitized in another insect's eggs. Several binders havebeen utilized in the apparatus of this invention in conjunction withlacewing egg delivery, the best one being mucilage. Lacewings can beused to fight aphids most anywhere. Mention may be made of the acreageof commercial rose growers, vegetable crops, tree crops such as apples,and other crops attacked by detrimental insects; namely, corn by thecorn worm.

While separate motors have been shown to turn the stirrer and themetering system (spur gear), it is within the skill of the art toutilize but one motor with appropriate shaft(s) and gear boxes for thesetwo tasks.

While not specifically tested, there is no reason to believe that itwould not also be possible to utilize parasitized eggs of the codlingmoth, to deliver Tgs to an area infested with the grain moth, such asfields of grain bins.

It is to be noted from a review of the drawings of this patentapplication, that in some instances a reverse venturi was employed atthe inlet end of the apparatus. In one variant of the apparatus, thereverse venturi was not employed. The reverse venturi serves merely toslow down the incoming air, such that when the beneficial insects areintroduced into the airstream they will not be as adversely impacted ifthe air is moving at a slower speed, and more time is available forbinder and insects to combine. It is beneficial to employ the reverseventuri if the apparatus is to be mounted on a tractor or airplane.Whereas the airspeed of the air from a backpack blower is significantlyslower, the use of the reverse venturi for a backpack blower unit, whileconsidered to be within the scope of the invention, is not suggested.

Since certain changes can be made in the above apparatus and processherein discussed without departing from the scope of the inventionherein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for the coating and delivery of beneficialinsects which comprises:a. a hopper for the temporary storage of insectsand which hopper has a constricted opening at the bottom incommunication with, b. an insect metering device for controlling theflow of a determinable finite amount of insects from said hopper, c. adelivery tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, and d. a tubularchamber having an outlet end and an inlet end for the introduction ofair into said chamber, and having at least one fluid injector, disposedwithin said chamber, for the introduction of a binder solution at alocation aft the outlet of the delivery tube, but within said chamberfrom a source of said solution, said metering device in communicationwith the inlet of the delivery tube; the outlet of the delivery tubebeing flared and said tube being disposed within the chamber and incommunication with the interior of said chamber, whereby when air isintroduced through the inlet end of the chamber, an airstream is formedthat moves through said chamber, and as insects are metered into saiddelivery tube they are gravity fed to the chamber to be coated by bindersolution entering the chamber through said at least one fluid injector,and then the coated insects are expelled through the outlet end of saidchamber.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metering devicecomprises a motor operated spur gear.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the metering device comprises a rotating disk having at leastone aperture therein.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the meteringdevice is in direct communication with a collection bin which in turn isin communication with said delivery tube.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4wherein the collection bin has a spout that communicates with the inletof the collection tube.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deliverytube comprises a J-shaped tube the outlet of which is disposedelevationally at about the middle of the chamber and which is directedtoward the outlet of the chamber.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe delivery tube is a J-shaped tube having a flared outlet end, saidoutlet of which is directed toward the outlet of the chamber and themetering device comprises a rotor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 whereineach binder solution injector is disposed at a about a 45 degree angletoward the outlet of said chamber.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 furtherincluding a stirrer mounted for rotation within the hopper to preventthe clogging thereof.
 10. An apparatus for the coating and delivery ofbeneficial insects which comprises:a. a hopper for the temporary storageof the beneficial insects and which hopper has a constricted opening atthe bottom in communication with, b. an insect metering device forcontrolling the flow of a determinable amount of insects from saidhopper, c. a collection bin to receive said insects, in communicationwith said metering device, d. a delivery tube having an inlet end and aflared outlet end, and e. a tubular chamber having an outlet end and aninlet end for the introduction of air into said chamber, and having atleast one fluid injector, disposed within said chamber, for theintroduction of a binder solution; into an airstream, aft the outlet ofsaid delivery tube but within said chamber, said collection bin incommunication with the inlet of the delivery tube; the outlet of thedelivery tube being disposed within the chamber and in communicationwith the interior of said chamber, whereby when air is introducedthrough the inlet end of the chamber, an airstream is formed that movesthrough said chamber, and as insects are metered into said delivery tubethey are gravity fed to the chamber to be coated by binder solutionentering the chamber through said at least one fluid injector, and thenthe coated insects are expelled through the outlet end of said chamber.11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the metering device comprises amotor operated spur gear.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein themetering device comprises a rotating disk having at least one aperturetherein.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 further including a stirrermounted for rotation within the hopper to prevent the clogging thereof.14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collection bin has a spoutthat communicates with the inlet of the delivery tube and furtherwherein the delivery tube is a J-shaped tube the outlet of which isdirected toward the outlet of said chamber.
 15. The apparatus of claim10 further including an optical sensor, connected to a power source,mounted at the inlet end of the delivery tube to monitor the flow intothe delivery tube.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein there are twoinjectors mounted in opposed position, each of which is directed at a 45degree angle toward the outlet of the chamber.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein the hopper, metering device and collection bin are alldisposed within a housing, having an opening therein in communicationwith said hopper.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10 further including meansfor mounting the apparatus to an airplane.
 19. The apparatus of claim 10wherein the chamber's inlet end is configured as a reverse venturi andthe delivery tube has an outwardly flared outlet.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 10 further including a pressure regulator in fluid communicationwith the at least one injector to control the flow of binder to the atleast one injector.
 21. The apparatus of claim 10 further includingblower means connected to the inlet end of the chamber.
 22. An apparatusfor the aerial delivery of binder coated beneficial insects whichcomprises:a. a hopper for the temporary storage of the insects and whichhopper has a constricted opening at the bottom in communication with, b.an insect metering device for periodically dispensing a finite amount ofinsects from said hopper, c. a collection bin to receive said insects,in communication with said metering device, d. a J-shaped delivery tubehaving an inlet end and a flared outlet end, e. an optical sensorencircling said delivery tube, connected to a power source, and adaptedto monitor the flow though said delivery tube, f. a tubular chamberhaving an outlet end and a reverse venturi configured inlet end for theintroduction of air into said chamber, and having at least a pair offluid injectors, oppositely disposed within said chamber, for theintroduction of a binder solution, into an airstream aft the outlet ofsaid delivery tube but within said chamber, said collection bin incommunication with the inlet of the delivery tube; the outlet of thedelivery tube being disposed within the chamber and in communicationwith the interior of said chamber, whereby when air is introducedthrough the inlet end of the chamber, an airstream is formed that movesthrough said chamber, and as insects are metered into said delivery tubethey are fed to the chamber to be coated by binder solution entering thechamber through at least one of said pair of fluid injectors, and thenthe coated insects are expelled through the outlet end of said chamber.23. The apparatus of claim 22 further including a motorized stirrerdisposed in said hopper to prevent clogging of the constricted opening,and the metering device comprises a motorized spur gear.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 22 further including coupling means for mounting abackpack blower thereto.
 25. The apparatus of claim 22 including meansfor mounting the apparatus on one of an airplane and a tractor.
 26. Theprocess of controlling insect pests on an infested specific crop whichcomprises:a. introducing a plurality of beneficial insects into a movingairstream within a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet,parallel to the movement of the airstream, b. injecting a bindersolution into the airstream, c. coating the moving beneficial insectswith the binder solution, aft the entry thereof, but within saidchamber, d. expelling the coated insects from the airstream through theoutlet of the chamber onto the specific crop.
 27. The process ofdelivering beneficial insects to the foliage of infested target treeswhich comprises:a. mounting at least one tubular chamber, each of whichhas an air inlet end and an air outlet end onto an airplane, with theair inlet of each chamber facing forward, b. placing a finite amount ofthe beneficial insects into a hopper in communication with the chamber,c. metering a determinable continuous supply of beneficial insects intothe chamber from the hopper in a direction parallel to a flow of airthrough the chamber while flying over the target trees, d. injecting abinder solution into the chamber during the time the beneficial insectsare in the chamber, e. coating the beneficial insects with the bindersolution, within the chamber, aft the entry of the insects, f. expellingthe coated insects out the outlet of the chamber onto the target trees.28. The process of claim 27 including the extra step of monitoring theflow of the insects into the chamber by optically sensing the flow. 29.The process of claim 27 including the step of slowing down the speed ofthe air entering each chamber prior to the introduction of thebeneficial insects thereto.
 30. The process of claim 29 wherein theinjecting of the binder solution transpires at a 45 degree angle to theflow of the insects within the chamber.